The Cape Town council on Tuesday issued a call for comment on a plan to invite the private sector to build mixed-used developments on four municipal owned sites in Athlone, Diep River, Goodwood and Mitchells Plain.
The sites have a combined size of about 40 ha and a commercial value of R316-million, according to Marian Nieuwoudt, the mayoral committee member for spatial planning.
She said they were on transport nodes and could be developed to include market-related and affordable housing, commercial space and community services.
"Thus, by making available the sites to the private sector for development we can ignite much needed urban renewal in these areas, economic growth, and job creation. The sites are also ideal for higher density housing as they are close to train stations, minibus-taxi services, and bus stops."
The sites are the Athlone station car park opposite the entrance to the Athlone train station, Moquet Farm in Diep River, the Tygerdal site at the Monte Vista station in Goodwood and the Kapteinsklip station precinct in Mitchells Plain.
Moquet Farm lies on the intersection of Main and Kendal roads and is one block away from the train station.
The Mitchells Plain site spans both sides of Baden Powell drive at the intersections of Eisleben and Weltevreden roads. It is the biggest of the four earmarked sites at 30.6 ha and currently comprises of car parks and open spaces, which Nieuwoudt termed underutilised.
She said the 7.6 ha Goodwood site was ideal for "a mixed-use transit-oriented development" and could include housing opportunities to a wide range of income groups.
Nieuwoudt called on Capetonians to comment on the proposal to make the land available to the private sector for development.
"I want to add, that should we in the end decide to go ahead, we want to see developments that include higher density housing opportunities across a wide range of typologies, tenures and incomes. It must be affordable, and could be balanced with commercial and public uses. Whatever is proposed must enhance the urban environment and improve the quality of life for residents from the area. It must be safe, convenient, and attractive," she said
More detail will be made available to the public from Thursday at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay and at subcouncil offices and public libraries across Cape Town.